June 15, 2011

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- It was announced today that the Providence College men's basketball team will participate in the the South Padre Island Invitational, one of college basketball's elite Thanksgiving tournaments, in South Padre Island, Texas. The field of eight teams also includes Iowa State, Northern Iowa, Rice, Western Carolina, Northern Colorado, Southern University, and Florida A&M. Each team will play four games- the first two at campus sites, and the final two rounds at the South Padre Island Convention Center on beautiful South Padre Island, Texas on November 25-26.

Providence College is led by head coach Ed Cooley. Cooley, who enters his first season as the Friars' head coach, has four starters returning to the court in 2011-12. Junior point guard Vincent Council (13.7 ppg) is the team's top returning scorer. Sophomore guard Gerard Coleman (10.3 ppg), sophomore forward Kadeem Batts (7.1 ppg) and junior forward Dixon Bilal (5.7 ppg) all started for the Friars last season and are expected to make an impact this season.

Tournament passes are limited and can be purchased through the Providence College ticket office at 401-865-GOPC or through the South Padre Island Convention Center Box Office (888) 774-8587 or online at www.sopadre.com.

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